The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1870.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 226, 24 September 1870, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1870.

Mining Shares. — Mr I-I. J. L. Augarde quotes Perseverance paid-up Shares, at £3 ss. Business done this day. Artizans' Society. — The Nelson Artizans gave their promised entertainment last evening, to a crowded audience, ■who were, without exception, delighted with the spirited manner in which the various performers acted their several parts,°the concluding farce calling forth much merriment and approbation. The Gourlay Family appeared in the Assembly Room last night, when Mr. Gourlay's acting as Sir Francis IBurley in the Rights of Women, called forth much applause. Master Johnny and Miss Minnie also made their appearance, and were, as is invariably the case with them, most warmly received. There will be another performance this evening with an entire change of programme. The schooner Mary took with her from Westport to Melbourne, a quantity of the Mount Rochfort coal. The specimens thus exported were brought down by packhorses from Coalbrook Dale. In quantity there was about 500cwt. — sufficient to serve as a sample of what the splendid coal-seam exposed at Coalbrook can produce. The Provincial Engineer. — We understand that Mr. Blackett has received from the General Government an offer of the temporary appointment of chief engineer of the colony. On the receipt of a telegram to that effect from Mr. Vogel, Mr. Blackett proceeded to Wellington iu the Phoebe on Wednesday last, and, although his loss will be greatly felt in Nelson, we must not allow our selfish feelings to prevent us from offering to that gentleman our hearty congratulations od the well deserved promotion offered to him. Church Music. — The following is an extract from the address delivered by the Bishop of Nelson to the Diocesan Synod yesterday : — " A renewed interest has, I am glad to say, been exhibited in church music in Christ Church, and I trust it will be taken up by our congregations generally. Caudour requires me to say, our singing is not equal to that in the other provincial cities, but I know of no reason why it should not be so. Full atteudance in the choir is necessary, to enable it to lead with effect the congregation in a church constructed like Christ Church, with nave and transepts. It is a detail of great importance, and therefore I refer to it, trusting that the service in the leading church in the diocese will exhibit exemplary efficiency. Nothing in music is equal to thorough congregational harmony, and I sincerely hope that the present efforts of the conductor and choir may be rewarded by the co-operation of the hearty voices of the people in plain song. The influences of the House of the Lord are many and varied, and there are many higher than this; but we cannot afiord to dispense with any that may lift the soul, or stimulate the thought. I trust the advent of a new instrument to our cathedral church will give a stimulus to church music thoughout the diocese." The Buller Lion in Trouble again. — Eugene Joseph O' Conor, who is described by the Westport Times as a cordial manufacturer and member of the Nelson Provincial Council, has been smashing the head of Thornhill Cooper, the Westport agent of the Union Bank, with a glass bottle, the blow being accompanied by one of those delicate but expressive phrases for which the said Eugene O'Conor is so famous. Eugene commenced operations with the exciting amusement of pelting a boy belonging to the Bank with broken glass, in return for the said boy throwing some bottles over the feuce into his yard, whereupon Mr. Cooper seeing the youngster wounded and bleeding, jumped over the fence bearded the lion in his den, caught him by the breast and pushed him off. The spirit of the lion of the Buller was roused at such an indignity being offered to his sacred person, and seizing a bottle he struck his antagonist on the bare head thereby stunning him and inflicting a serious wound. The Magistrate said that when he had to deal with an assault committed

with such an instrument as a bottle — an instrument the use of which might lead to manslaughter or murder — he must consider it as a serious case of common assault. Had it been the fiat that had been used, he would have thought little of it, but the use of such an instrument as a bottle on the unprotected head of a man must bo looked on very differently. On this charge the defendant was convicted, and was fined £5 with costs. Thereupon Eugene Joseph O'Conor, cordial manufacturer and member of the Nelson Provincial Couucil, gave notice of appeal. The Colonial Treasurer. — The Wellington Post is responsible for the following : — Mr. Vogel came hurrying down the wharf on foot shortly before the steamer started, quite unattended, eager, apparently, to shake the dust off his feet, as a testimony against the city which has become his bete noir. No crowd assembled to witness the illustrious departure, apparently, much to his relief, as he might naturally be in doubt as to how their adieus would be expressed. Pedestrianism.— A series of pedestrian matches took place on the Greymouth Racecourse on Saturday afternoon, between Patrick Tvvohill of Greymouth and Robert Howe of Hokitika. There were to be five events, at different distances, tho successful vvinuer of three out of the five to receive the stakes — £100 a side, and the title " Champion of New Zealand," Great interest, was taken in the matches, and there must have been over 600 persons on the course, a large number of whom came from Hokitika, Westport, and up-country. The weather was beautiful, and the ground in very good condition. Both men stripped in fine form for the work they had to do. The first race was 200 yards, and a good start was effected, the men getting away well together, aud ruuniug at a tremendous pace breast and breast for half the distance, when Twohill gradually drew ahead, aud won a splendid race by about ten yards j but it was noticed that whenever Howe was fairly passed, he slackened his speed. The second event was 150 yards, and the description of it could only be the same as the first ; Howe evidently running his best during the first 100 yards. As near as it can be quoted, the time for the 200 yards was 23secs., aud for the 150 yards, 16fsecs. Howe then gave in, but came to the scratch for the third event, but allowed Twohili to run over, thus finishing the matches, which were expected to extend over two days.